No fear for Wenger before Barcelona clash

05 April 2010 06:27

Arsene Wenger has called on his battle-weary Arsenal side to show no fear when they head into the Nou Camp on Tuesday night aiming to upset the odds and knock holders Barcelona out of the Champions League.

The Gunners will be without injury victims Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas, along with the suspended Andrey Arshavin, but Wenger maintains his team has what it takes to pull of another famous victory on one of Europe's biggest stages.

"We have won away everywhere in Europe. Barcelona is a place where we have not done it, so there is no better opportunity than Tuesday night," Wenger declared.

"I am confident despite the injuries we have that we can do it.

"Of course, we will need to get everybody to 100% of his potential and have a great team performance.

"This team, though, has such a great mental strength and I believe they can fight against the odds anywhere in the world."

Wenger openly admits Arsenal are lucky to still have a chance, however slim, of progression to the semi-finals after the way in which they were completely dominated by Barcelona during the opening stages of the first leg last week.

However, after the Spaniards had gone 2-0 up following a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic - who will miss tomorrow's game because of a calf injury - the Gunners somehow fought their way back to level.

"Barcelona certainly have learned from the first game it will not be an easy task for them," he said.

"We have learned that it is important we start will full power, without any inhibition, which we showed in the first 20 minutes at the Emirates."